The Ronin class was
fielded in the 2370's to provide a smaller, more numerous
counterpart to the Sovereign class. Whereas the similarly designed
Kelvin class was better armed and more geared towards exploration,
the Ronin was designed with more of a scientific bent. The design
was intended to parallel that of the Sovereign class as closely as
possible in order to allow for many identical systems to be
installed in both classes; this has resulted in significant
improvements in the design and construction processes for the
Ronin class and thus allowed comparatively high numbers to be
fielded. Compared to the Sovereign class the Ronin has a more
compact shape - the engineering hull is integrated directly to the
saucer section, a measure which saves some 200 square meters of
interior volume and materials.

The major difference
in capability is the addition of a prominent housing aft of the
saucer section of the Ronin class. This enables the vessel to
carry any one of a variety of special equipment pods - current
models include a high capacity sensor pod, an enhanced weapons
pod, a colony transport pod, an emergency field hospital unit, or
a science laboratory pod. Although the basic Ronin design has
approximately 80% of the capability of a Sovereign class vessel in
most areas, the addition of the mission pod brings that figure up
to 95% or more in that specific area. This flexibility actually
allows the Ronin design to accomplish almost identical missions
despite its smaller size.

In service the Ronin
class has proved highly satisfactory, and in many ways these ships
are a fully satisfactory replacement for the Nebula Class that
forms the backbone of Starfleet's exploratory and scientific
programs. Like the Sovereign class they have received regular
upgrades to their systems, most notably a new Warp Core design.
With the advent of the threats from the Romulan, Dominion and
Borg, in a standard issue weapons pod. the pod carries eight
standard torpedo tubes and a stock of 300 casings, approximately
doubling the ships overall rate of fire.

Artificially Intelligent
Computer Interface

The latest upgrade to Starfleet ships is the Artificially
Intelligent Computer Interface. While not having direct
control of the ship or it's systems, the ship's AI serves as
an interface between the live crew and the computer. It's
been embedded with a unique personality that's programmed to
evolve and learn the crew's preferences and mannerisms. This
is suppose to make using the ship's computer more efficient
and easier for the crew to work with.

That's the theory anyway...

DECK LISTING

Deck D-A

The top
five decks are in the removable pod that sits on top
of the saucer section. This pod is interchangeable
with a variety if mission specific modules. The types
of pods available include, but are not limited to:
colonization, science, surveying, rescue, and combat.

Deck 1

Main
Bridge, Ready Room, Observation/Conference Lounge

Deck 2

Captain's
Quarters, Officers Mess, Senior Officer's Quarters

Deck 3

Officers'
Quarters, Holodeck 1, Gym, Transporter Room 1

Deck 4

Living
Quarters, Escape Pods, Crew Mess

Deck 5

Forward
Lounge, Living Quarters, Sick bay, Counseling Offices

Deck 6

Phaser
Systems, Living Quarters, Science Labs

Deck 7

Living
Quarters, Computer Core, Operations Center

Deck 8

Living
Quarters, Holodecks 2 & 3, Cargo Bays 1 & 2

Deck 9

Shuttle
Bays 1 and 2, Main Computer Core

Deck 10

Shuttle
Maintenance, Living Quarters, Transporter Rooms 2
& 3

Deck 11

Cargo Bay
1, Hydroponics, Stellar Cartography

Deck 12

Cargo Bay
2, Escape Pods, Waste Processing, Security Office,
Brig

Deck 13

Forward
Torpedo/Probe Launchers, Deuterium Storage,

Deck 14

Captain's
Yacht, Deuterium Storage, Deuterium Injection

Deck 15

Engineering
Support, Crew Quarters

Deck 16

Main
Engineering, Nacelle Supports

Deck 17

Backup
Computer Core, Cargo Bays 3 & 4

Deck 18

Deflector
Control, Crew Quarters, Escape Pods

Deck 19

Aft
Torpedo/Probe Launchers, Escape Pods

Deck 20

Forward
Lower Torpedo/Probe Launcher, Phaser Systems,
Shuttlebay 3

Deck 21

Antimatter
Storage Pods, Antimatter Injection

Images by Patrick
Weber using Hobbes Mesh. Backgrounds from www.startrekaustralia.com,
and www.space.com